Tag: Yarn Weight: 4

Having rummaged through my stash recently to donate some yarn to Studio Royale Assisted Living Knit Group, I actually used some of my scraps to make this seamed mobius cowl, which will be donated to Handmade Especially For You. I made the mistake of “seaming” this into a mobius. I only say that because I am deciding that a mobius cowl should only be for shorter cowls that one would not wrap twice.

The third identifiable yarn was the bought at The Knitting Tree, L A to finish this piece: Feza Lady (Fiber Content: 100% Nylon; Yarn Color: 112; Yarn Weight: 4, Aran)

Apparently, I got used to the new wimpy worsted weight yarns and used a US 8/H – 5 mm hook, which cause portions of the cowl fabric to be dense. Crucify me for my attitude, but it’s a donation, so I am not really concerned, but have taken the knowledge and will apply in future projects.

The name of this cowl – Natural High by Bloodstone – comes from the colors used: white, ecru, browns, blacks and greys.

If you are keen to make something similar, here is the recipe: 24 double crochets worked between stitches to desired length with a crab stitch border of the Feza Lady, triple-stranded.

My boss at The Knitting Tree, L A had already put me on notice that she would pay me to help her make some favors for her upcoming wedding. Yesterday, she showed me the pattern and I tried to make one. OMG! The pattern she found was just so complicated, especially when you are working on such a small gauge and if I was forced to use that pattern, payment would have been greatly appreciated for all the associated frustration. So I did what I do best: simplified the pattern, which she likes and now that the pattern has been simplified, I must refuse payment. After all they are called favors, right?

I even took my contribution one step further and published the pattern on her invitation design, so that if she wants to, she can distribute the pattern at the wedding. I am even suggesting an impromptu class at the store so that anyone who crochets may assist – the more the merrier and the faster the task can be completed.

My pattern which is as easy as 1-2-3 rounds and does not involve front post crochet. The pattern calls for

The finished object measures approximately 2.5 inches square. This pattern will only be available for free until August 23, 2014, the day of the wedding, so that any friends of the bride may download the pattern and assist with making the favors. The pattern is available on my patterns page. or in my Ravelry store.

PROVISO

I condone any realized profit from selling your finished project

If you are on Ravelry, I would appreciate your linking your project to this pattern/recipe, so I can send a request to feature your finished object

2014-08-07 ADDENDUM

Having just finished this project, I realized I needed to update this blog post with the second yarn used:

We had run out of Universal Uptown Worsted in Race Car Red, so this was the alternate. Out of two skeins of Universal and three skeins of Cascade, I made about 160 Rosy Wedding Favors, approximately 10 more than requested.

A friend of mine has been taking a knitting/crochet group into an assisted-living facility where her mom resides. I volunteered to support her group and this Thursday will be my first time attending. You know how I love old ladies! Anyway, the last time I saw my friend in the store she was buying yarn for the group. I commented to my friend that it was a nice gesture, and to save her some money, I would go through my mountainous stash and donate some of my yarn.

So the other day, I began stash-diving, beginning with multicolored yarns because I had been informed that was what the old ladies liked best. Of course, once I started seeing all the beautiful colors, I could not decided what to donate. My final algorithm was to donate single unlabeled skeins so I would not have the additional challenge of color matching or trying to find the same yarn.

I was initially going to donate the Universal Classic Worsted Tapestry (Fiber Content: 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool; Yarn Color: 7005 Party Time; Yarn Weight: 4, Worsted), but thought because it was various balls tied together, it would not be optimal for the old ladies, so I ended up crocheting the scarf above, which will be donated to Handmade Especially For You, the charity at the El Segundo Sliptstitchers knitting guild – I’ll never understand why it’s abbreviated ESSS versus ESS. Anyway, I used a US 8/H – 5 mm hook and the Diagonal Box Stitch to make this scarf. I could have sworn there was a nicer way to decrease this stitch without having to chain or slipstitch, but I could not find those instructions. If you know how, please send me an email.

So I finally returned to knitting. For the details that lead me back to knitting read this post. Otherwise, as you can see, another project has been completed. The pattern is Bridger Cowl by Kris Basta, Kriskrafter, LLC and I used the Karabella Aurora 8 (Fiber Content: 100% Extrafine Merino Wool Irrestringible; Yarn Colors: 286 and 1536; Yarn Weight: 4, Worsted) and Wendy Peter Pan Double Knit (Fiber Content: 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic; Yarn Color: 387; Yarn Weight: 3, DK/Light Worsted).

Of course being the rebel that I am, I changed the pattern:

by incorporating more than one color

by replacing the garter, just above the brown trim on the bottom, with stockinette

Thursday, I got a call from The Knitting Tree, L A about a job from the Prop Master at American Broadcasting Company (ABC), who wanted a 30 x 50 inch crochet afghan by Tuesday for a television series called Young & Hungry. Five days to make the afghan. At right is the picture of an idea he wanted. I told him to continue looking for someone because I did not want to say yes, unless I could enlist the help of another person, ensuring I could meet the deadline. Once I secured the help of someone, I called him back, we discussed pricing – based on my normal pricing schedule, which I have been advised is too low – and sealed the deal.

I went straight to the store to buy the yarn and encountered dilemma number one: was there going to be enough of the colors/yarn weight requested? With respect to color, I was doubtful on the navy; with respect to the yarn weight, I was doubtful there was enough white yarn. The store suggested double-stranding a lighter weight and I reluctantly accepted the suggestion. Later, when I got home, I found more white yarn in the correct weight, feeling more secure. However, I ended up using the double-stranded lighter weight yarn because I gave the worsted weight to the person that offered to help. Here is what I ended up buying:

I must mention that I am very impressed with the Universal Uptown Worsted and will probably make that my acrylic, worsted weight yarn of choice for future afghans.

I got two of ten strips done the first night. The next day, I get a call from the prop master, suggesting that if he paid an extra $100.00, could he get the afghan by Monday, allowing him more time for framing. I agreed and immediately sought more help from two more people that arrived at the store later Friday afternoon. Let me mention that if took a while for person one to match my gauge, using a hook two sizes larger; person two, a hook one size larger; and person three, a hook three sizes larger.

On Friday, person two expressed that she did not want to seam her squares together. That screwed up my payment schedule and was not appreciated. The quality of person three was not up to snuff, but she offered to seam all the squares/strips for me.

On Saturday, person one brought me enough squares for two strips but had left all the tails, which I discovered later – when I was informed by the seamer – were not long enough to work with. Unfortunately, the seamer advised me after she discovered one square, that had already been seamed, began to unravel. By this time, person two had stopped contributing accomplishing enough squares for one strip. By the end of Saturday, all squares had been completed and seamed. That is when I called the Prop Master, who informed me that the afghan was no longer going to be framed, and that he would like it larger: 36 x 54 inches. I was already having issues due to my method of seaming, which was causing cupping of the squares, thereby shortening the length and width.

On Sunday, I crocheted the extra 24 squares necessary to make up the difference in width and length and person three seamed them into place. This was a big accomplishment, allowing me time to wash the afghan, checking for construction quality. When I called the prop master to check in regarding the process, I left a message requesting the original deadline, as it was not longer being framed and he conceded. Phew!

On Monday, as I was tying sewing in the loose ends and resewing the loosened ends, I discovered at least five more squares that were unraveling. Aiyaa! Because it would have take more time to remove them, remake them and replace them, I took a shortcut: cosmetic touch up. I also began the border.

Today, I was just about to finish the border when the prop master arrived at the store. He grabbed some lunch while I finished the last half of the last round, came back, admired the afghan and made the purchase.

While I am ever grateful for the help I received from persons one, two and three, I have learned some valuable lessons from this project:

No one will ever match my standard of quality, just as I am sure I could never meet another person’s standard of quality

I allowed my ambition to fulfill a life’s dream – crochet an afghan for a television show – to compromise my standard of quality, which led to me being dependent on others

Unless all the yarn I estimate for a job is available at one time, I will not deviate or make concessions

I need to take a deep breath before accepting jobs that I have never quoted and make sure I have consulted with others before committing to an estimate

I discovered that I am blessed to know more people than I thought, who could have guided me more accurately regarding my price estimate

If I ever solicit help from others, I need to be extremely specific as to my expectations

Overall, I am glad the project is done and cannot wait to see it on television. I received a phone call from one of my bosses while composing this post, inquiring if this was a done deal and if the prop master was pleased with the outcome. I can only assume he was pleased because he paid, unless he has some secret elves stashed somewhere that can crochet the same afghan overnight. My boss surprised me the confident suggestion that I would have been able to complete this project alone. Perhaps that confidence will instill itself within me for future projects. I am blessed to have such thoughtful employers, who allowed me to use the store as a workshop, arriving/leaving outside normal operating hours to work on the afghan.

The name of the afghan should be obvious and comes from the song by Smash Mouth from their 1999 album Astro Lounge.

Here is another version of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side Wrap, this time made with Schoppel-Wolle’s IN Silk (Fiber Content: 75% Merino Wool, 25% Silk; Yarn Color: 6683 Celery; Yarn Weight: 4, Worsted). I think the inclusion of the silk lends a lightness to the finished wrap. The primary difference between this version and the acrylic version is the length and design, measuring 74 (length) x 26 (widest width) inches, and the absence of the slip stitch section and the final treble crochet border at the widest edge. The final treble crochet border would have caused me to break into a fourth skein and being financially challenged, $23.60 per skein did not seem worth it, as most of the skein would have been unused. Perhaps if I had crocheted the wrap with a tighter tension, I would have had enough for the treble crochet border, but I wanted more drape to the piece so I opted for a loose tension.

A special thanks to my model: Ellen, who is impervious to camera shame, a master crocheter and excellent knitter.

The pattern is written as an recipe to accommodate easy adjustment for width and includes instructions for the acrylic version as well, which includes the final treble crochet border and the slip stitch section. I intentionally left of the slip stitch section on the final version because other than acting as added weight and length, the eyelets were hardly visible and the construction a challenging. The pattern may be purchased from my patterns page or from my Ravelry store.

PROVISO

I condone any realized profit from selling your finished project

If you are on Ravelry, I would appreciate your linking your project to this pattern/recipe, so I can send a request to feature your finished object.

This is my template for another shawl design I will be working on next and an excellent way to use up your scrap yarn. I was thinking of selling this at my trunk show, but I really like it! I may use it until such time I can make a nice one for myself. My first idea is to make it out of the Romney wool in the store and felt it! At first I was just interested in the design, considering it as a market bag. The more I look at it the more uses I can think up: a perfect project bag for that project on straight needles, or a vodka carrier – because I don’t go near wine. The top presented a problem for me, but a the idea finally came to me this morning and I finished it off.

I think I may carry it around for a while and if it generates enough interest, I may write up a pattern. I was searching for a button I had purchased previously for bag closer; I could not find the one I was looking for, but found this orange ceramic button that I think was a gift from Pandorra7. For that reason alone, I should keep the bag for personal use as a project bag.

The name – Spill The Wine by War – was a random selection from my music library. It was not until the name came up that I thought of using the bag as a wine carrier, which is ideal for the inverted method of toting your wine around, and keeping the cork moist.

This is my template for The Boy With The Thorn In His Side Wrap pattern I will be writing up. The pattern project – I’m pretty sure – will be made with the Schoppel-Wolle’s IN Silk (Fiber Content: 75% Merino Wool, 25% Silk) for it’s lightness. As for color: I am still not sure whether to color block the garment or stick with one color. I am still unsure which color to use: Yarn Color: 6683 Celery, Yarn Color: 4193 Navy, Yarn Color: 9220 Grey Light Heather or Yarn Color: 9680 Grey Dark Heather. For some reason, I am really liking the Celery shade of green, as I think it is very springy.

After I write up this pattern, I think I will be duplicating the shape with a different orientation, which in my mind already seems to be quite challenging. The pattern will also be more like a recipe, so that crocheters can customize the length to their liking.

The name of this project – The Boy With The Thorn In His Side by The Smiths – should be apparent from the shape of this wrap.

Inspired by Stephen West’s Color Craving, I am in the process of designing a similar garment. Today I finished version one, crocheted with Caron Simply Soft (Fiber Content: 100% Acrylic; Yarn Color: 9730 Autumn Red; Yarn Weight: 4) while at my Wednesday Morning Knitters group. After it was done I consulted Yarns from the Southland, who shared with me how she wears Stephen’s Color Craving, sparking two new design elements, one which I was able to improvise while I was still at The Knitting Tree L A.

However, the general consensus was that my template must be wider, which could be achieved with a fiber that can be blocked. Then there is the dilemma of which yarn to use. I have my eye on Schoppel-Wolle’s IN Silk (Fiber Content: 75% Merino Wool, 25% Silk) for it’s lightness. As for color: I am not sure whether to color block the garment or stick with one color. My choices for IN Silk are heavily leaning toward a Yarn Color: 6683 Celery/Yarn Color: 4193 Navy or Yarn Color: 9220 Grey Light Heather/Yarn Color: 9680 Grey Dark Heather combination. Then there is the MadelineTosh Vintage (Fiber Content: 100% superwash merino wool; Yarn Color: Torchere; Yarn Weight: 4), which I love and is available in the store, though I would really like to use Yarn Color: Neon Peach, but that colorway would have to be ordered.

I am not including any pictures yet because I don’t want anyone stealing my idea. You might have noticed that I did not identify the project type, which I am viewing as added security. As it is, I think I can append the suggested design elements and then there is the problem of buying enough yarn in the same dye lot to complete the final design. Stay tuned!

Working from the stash of novelty yarn gifted to me by my Japanese Grandmother, here is the latest creation: Second Hand Rose Shawl. I was very eager to make a half-circle/crescent shaped shawl. At first I was going to knit, but then thought the ends would be hard to hide, so I change my mind an opted to crochet this shawl.

The pattern follows the formula for a circle, using back loop double crochets and ending with a crab stitch border. I strategically positioned my increases so that they would not be so noticeable: on the end for odd rows; in the middle for even rows. I really enjoyed working with all yarns except for the chenille type yarn, which proved a little difficult to hold, for reasons that still leave me baffled. Yarn A could be some type of soy, worsted; Yarn D is a chenille-type, worsted; and Yarn F, which is the border, is a mohair type yarn.

The name was selected at random, as it was the song – Second Hand Rose by Barbra Streisand – that was playing when I started photographing it. I must admit that the name is quite appropriate as the yarn is hand-me-downs.